Ford Sollers announced plans on Thursday to step into the gap left by General Motors' departure from the Russian car market, by offering car servicing in their centers to clients who own cars from manufacturers which are no longer present in Russia, as well as a discount on new Ford automobiles.
"Ford Sollers is confirming its long-term plans to develop its business in Russia," said the company in a statement to Gazeta.ru. "The company is offering an extra discount of 50,000 rubles [$835] to clients who buy a new Ford car and trade in a used car from any brand, which has ceased its activities in Russia."
Ford Sollers, a joint enterprise between Ford and the Russian manufacturer and dealer Sollers, emphasized that the policy applies to clients of those brands which have already announced that they are leaving Russia, and that the policy will be revised in the future if more manufacturers leave the market.
On Wednesday General Motors announced its plans to cease the sale of Opel cars and cut Cadillac sales to just three models, citing a lack of the "appropriate localization level" of its car production in Russia.